Medical Marijuana Bill Heads To House Floor

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Thursday, March 21, 2013
Robert Lang

(AP Photo)

WBAL's Robert Lang was in Annapolis talked to Maryland's News Now Host John Patti about the House approving a bill that would allow academic medical centers to oversee prescriptions for medical marijuana. Download This File

A pair of Maryland House of Delegates committees have approved a bill to allow academic medical centers to oversee prescriptions for medical marijuana.

The bill, sponsored by Baltimore County Delegate Dan Morhaim was approved Wednesday by the House Health and Government Operations Committee.

It was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday night, sending the bill to the House floor.

Debate there is expected to begin on Friday.

House leaders are trying to get the bill passed before Monday night's deadline for passing bills delegates want the Senate to consider in the remaining two weeks of the legislative term.

The bill is one of a number of marijuana related bills that is being considered this year.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved a bill that would decriminalize possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana.

Under current law, possession is a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 90 days in jail.

Under the bill, that offense couple become a civil offense with a fine of $100.

That bill has moved to the House of Delegates.

The House Judiciary Committee this week considered a bill that would legalize up to one ounce of marijuana for anyone 21 years of age and older.

Under the bill, the state would tax that marijuana.

The sponsor of the measure, Delegate Curt Anderson, told WBAL News that he does not expect the bill to pass.